individual market

Health insurance carriers are in the process of calculating premium rates for next year.

Some insurers have completed the process, but at this point, we don't have a complete picture of what rates will look like across the industry in 2015. What we do know is that every anecdote surrounding rate increases or decreases will find its way into the political debate leading up to this year's mid-term elections.

Some Coloradans with canceled insurance policies for 2014 are angry and confused, and rightfully so, at least on the confused part. I'm not sure even the president understands all the ins and outs of existing insurance policies and what is allowed and what isn't.

President Obama, on many occasions, said, "If you like your plan you can keep it." However, we've heard many stories about Americans who can't keep their old insurance coverage, and last week, the president apologized, saying, "I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me."(1)

Consumers and businesses nationwide will receive an estimated $1.3 billion in rebates in August from health insurance companies that spent more on administration, overhead and profits than allowed under the Affordable Care Act, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In Colorado, individuals and businesses will receive almost $26 million. Insurance companies will send rebates to 511,684 enrollees, for an average of $54.58 for each enrollee in the individual market, $82.62 in the small-group market and $47.84 in the large-group market.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. By equalizing the cost of health insurance premiums paid by men and women in the non-group market, the bill will reduce gender discrimination in health insurance. The bill will help reduce the financial barriers that women face to quality, affordable health care in Colorado.